South Shore Summer Getaway

Home of the Indiana Dunes

Visit the South Shore of Lake Michigan for a fun and relaxing summer getaway with family or friends. Don't wait for the weekends! Use those vacation days and come when there are fewer crowds and more fun, because the weekdays just hit different.

Explore all the Indiana Dunes National Park and State Park have to offer including miles of trails, beautiful beaches and camping sites. Take the kids to jump, play, learn and splash. Watch bison roam, visit a candy factory and more at one of our 30 unique attractions.

Dine at local restaurants, many with indoor and outdoor seating options. Find your favorite drink at our region's breweries and wineries.

Located in the northwest corner of Indiana - just a short drive from Chicago - the South Shore offers the perfect destination to get away!

Connect with Nature

The trails and beaches at the Indiana Dunes and surrounding areas are just some of the outdoor activities you can enjoy along the South Shore. Find opportunities for kayaking, fishing, golfing, camping and so much more!

Beaches

Along the southern Lake Michigan shoreline, there are more than a dozen beaches inside and outside the Indiana Dunes parks. Plan some time to splash, lounge, stroll and build sandcastles.

Find Your Beach

Trails

Northwest Indiana and parts of Eastern Illinois contain more than 125 miles of biking and walking trails, including the scenic trails within the Indiana Dunes. Most of the trails also allow dogs to tag along!

Take a Hike

Indiana Dunes

The Indiana Dunes is well-known for its beaches and trails, but there are even more activities to enjoy all summer long. Start your bucket list with our page: 61 Things to Do at the Dunes!

Dunes Activities

• All Outdoor Things to Do

Fun for the Kids

The South Shore is home to all kinds of places for families to visit to learn, play and explore. Taste the gummies straight from the factory at Albanese. Splash, swim and float at Deep River Waterpark. Go on a dairy or pig adventure at Fair Oaks Farms to learn about modern-day farming practices. Learn if you have what it takes to be a mascot at the Mascot Hall of Fame. Watch the trains go by in the Railway Garden at Gabis Arboretum. Spark your imagination at Bellaboo's Play and Discovery Center. Release some energy at some unique play centers.

For the Adults

Hop on the South Shore Brewery Trail to experience the region’s finest local craft beers. With more than 25 breweries, you are sure to find a style of beer you will love! If wine, cider or mead is more to your liking, the South Shore Winery Trail is the way to go. Many of the breweries and wineries are family-friendly and have outdoor areas to enjoy the hot summer days while you sample their creations. If you prefer other spirits, visit one of the region's distilleries.

You can also test your luck at Northwest Indiana's casinos, including the new Hard Rock Casino!